MPS: introspection, at last
The period beginning September 5 has been significant because, first, the World Economic Forum released its Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2013-14 showing Pakistan's slide from 124th place in global ranking…
The IMF programme
The Executive Board of the IMF has approved a 36-month programme under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for US$ 6.68 billion on September 4, 2013. After the board approval, the…
A stitch in time saves nine: MMPS today
The State Bank of Pakistan is scheduled to announce today a Monetary Policy Statement (MPS). Most market analysts feel that the rate will remain unchanged at 9 percent. They premise…
Stagflation feared
The much-awaited programme of IMF has been approved by its Executive Board in Washington DC. Pakistan has been given access to the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to the extent of…
‘Qarz burhao, mulk bigarho
In 1997 the slogan of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) was 'Qarz Utaro, Mulk Sanwaro' [retire debt, adorn country], which is reversed in 2013 as all efforts are underway to increase…
Gift of God
Gift of God to Pakistan. Shale gas is “natural gas that is found trapped within shale formations.” In the US, the ‘shale gas revolution’ has already begun. In 2000, shale…
So the PM sang
During the election campaign – and immediately after – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had repeatedly stated that proper management of the economy would be the top priority of his government.…
Reflections on prior actions
Pakistan and the IMF have reached a staff level agreement for a $5.3 billion bailout programme, which is likely to be presented to the executive board of the IMF in…
Failings of the State Bank
All over the world, central banks perform three main functions. First, they formulate and conduct monetary policy with the objective of keeping monetary expansion and inflation under control, and channelling…
Diaspora sukuks: Attracting investments from overseas Pakistanis
Against the drop scene of a huge plunge in Pakistani rupee against the US dollar in the last few days (leaving USD-PKR parity to 1:105 to 1:108, according to the…
